The Marshall Thundering Herd love to push the pace of play with their unique up-tempo press style and that’s reflected in their numbers as Marshall ranks 42nd in the nation in scoring average and 307th pin total defense. Marshall should be a factor in CUSA this season and this group continues to build on the progress they showed in the closing months of last year. Marshall came up short in their last outing losing to Ohio at home by a final of 88-98 and on the year the Thundering Herd stand 5-2 overall. Jon Elmore has been the offensive catalyst leasing the team averaging 21.1 points per game.

Chattanooga has the kind of veteran talent to potentially push for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, but that seems less likely now given their nonconference loss against Arkansas State and their blowout loss coming at North Carolina. The Mocs are still a very strong team standing 6-2 overall ranking 110th in the nation in scoring average and 79th in total defense. In their last outing Chattanooga dominated action going on to beat UL Monroe by a final of 79-52. The Mocs return a plethora of talent from last year’s tournament team and this group has been led by Tuoyo, Pryor, and McLean who are all averaging over 12 points per game.

This should be a good measuring stick game for both of these squads as they try to build up their respective resumes and RPI prior to conference action. Chattanooga has the steady hands needed to have success against this Marshall defensive pressure and that should be a difference maker as the Mocs go on to cover the spread.